JP2000357191A - Electronic map service providing method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] In a map information providing service with infinite continuity, it is possible to provide map information with necessary areas and necessary details for a user, and to flexibly charge To be able to do. A map storage computer, a user computer, and a service provider computer.
0 is connected via the network 130. The user computer 110 uses the map data using the license data distributed by the provider. The use history of the map data is acquired by the use history management unit 113 and sent to the service provider computer 100. Charge calculation means 104 of service provider computer 100
Calculates the usage fee based on charging information for determining the usage fee corresponding to the type of the provided map data, the amount of the used map data, and the usage mode, and the usage history.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a method for providing digitized map information, and more particularly to a method for providing digitized map information via a network and a system therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a technique for providing map data to a user via a network has been put into practical use.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-255022 discloses that map data divided into blocks in a map database server is managed according to update date and time, and the map database server is accessed by a car navigation device used by a user. It is disclosed that the map data of the car navigation device is updated by selecting only the map data at a date and time later than the date and time of the flash memory. According to this technique, the user can always put the latest map data on the user's car navigation device without performing complicated operations.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-90869 discloses that
An updated partial map database for storing the updated map data is provided in a host system having a map database, and in response to a request from the terminal device, updated partial map data corresponding to the request is returned to the terminal device. , Storing the received updated partial map data in the data storage means,
A map-related information distribution system that visualizes data and displays the data on a display unit is disclosed. According to the technology disclosed herein, when the system is used, even if a CD-ROM storing the latest map data is not obtained, map data reflecting the latest road conditions and the like can be stored on the terminal device side. Can be obtained at

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-268820 discloses that a public telephone is used to connect a center for storing district information to an information display terminal, a card is inserted into the public telephone, and a predetermined operation is performed. An information display system that displays district information on a display unit is disclosed. Here, it is disclosed that when map information is used, a predetermined fee is reduced from a card inserted into a public telephone.

[0005]

Generally, there are various utilization forms of map data, and the required map range, accuracy, amount of information, and the like differ depending on the application. In the above-described prior art, the provided map data is only fixed data corresponding to a specific purpose. Thus, according to various purposes, appropriate map data is provided for the purpose. You cannot do that.

[0006] Further, in providing the map data distribution service, there is a problem in how to charge for the use of the map data. JP-A-10-255
No. 022 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-90869 do not disclose how to charge a user for downloading map data when the user downloads the map data. On the other hand, JP-A-10-2
No. 68820 discloses that a predetermined charge is reduced from a card inserted into a public telephone. However, according to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-268820, when map information is selected from information to be provided, only a fixed fee is charged accordingly. If an attempt is made to provide appropriate map data for the purpose of use of the map information, or if there are various forms of use of the map information, a fixed fee is charged uniformly. What you do is not always appropriate.

[0007] As a technique related to charging of digitalized digital contents, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 6-28030
Is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. HEI 9-203 (1995). Here, in the use management of software such as computer programs and videos, which are intangible properties, the amount that can be purchased is registered in the computer system, and if a paid program is purchased, the name of the software that became available Is registered in the system table, and the software price is subtracted from the amount that can be purchased. When deleting a software name from the table, the amount of money is increased according to the situation. As a result, it is possible to reliably charge for the use of the software. However, this technology
This is effective when the object to be charged exists as a unit that can be counted as a package, such as a program. This unit is assumed to be data having a size smaller than the storage capacity of the computer system. It has an infinite extent like map information,
In the case of a series of contents having no delimiter unit, it is difficult to distribute the entire contents. In addition, in the case of map information, since the type and range of the map to be used, the details of the notes associated with the map, the display time of the map, and the like differ depending on the usage form, there is also a problem that the content to be used cannot be determined in advance. is there.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for providing an electronic map service which allows a user to use map data suitable for various purposes according to various purposes. Is to make it happen.

Another object of the present invention is to realize an electronic map service providing method and system capable of performing flexible charging according to map information to be provided or a form of use thereof. .

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a map database storing map data, a user computer for using the map data stored in the map database. There is provided a map information service system having the user computer and a service provider computer connected via a network. The user computer uses the map data stored in the map database using the license data distributed by the provider. The map database or the user computer is provided with management means for acquiring a history of use of the map data in the user computer. The history of use of the map data obtained by the management means is sent to the service provider computer via the network. The service provider computer has charging information for determining a usage fee corresponding to at least one of the type of the provided map data, the amount of the used map data, and the form of use. The service provider calculates the usage fee based on the usage history and charging information sent via the network.

Preferably, the map data is encrypted and stored in a map database, and the license data includes an encryption key for decrypting the encrypted map data.

[0012] The license data includes information for defining use of the provided map data based on a contract between the user and the service provider. The user computer controls use of the map data by the user according to the information included in the license data.

In one embodiment of the present invention, means for providing an interface for selecting a type of map, details of a note, or a use of the map to a service provider computer for generating license data; Means for displaying a graph centered on the charging unit and the usage fee, and providing an interface for the user to select a usage fee system or a type of a rate plan.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a network system to which the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1, a service provider computer 100, a user computer 110, and a map storage computer 120 having a map database in which map data is recorded are connected to each other via a computer network 130 so as to communicate with other computers. Have been.

The service provider computer 100 includes a usage history check unit 102 for monitoring whether the user is using the service according to the contract, and a fee for performing a pay-as-you-go billing for the use of the map database by the user. Calculation means 104 and computer network 1
A communication unit 106 for performing secure communication with another computer through the communication unit 30 is provided.

The user computer 110 allows the user to:
Usage control means 1 for making it possible to use only the services approved by the service provider or the content owner
12. Usage history management means 113 for storing a usage history required for calculating a fee, map display means 11 for displaying a map on a computer display
6. It is provided with charging status display means 117 for notifying the user of the usage fee up to that point, and communication means 118 for performing secure communication with another computer via the computer network 130.

The map storage computer 120 has a map data access means 122 for accessing map data.
Communication means 124 for performing secure communication with another computer via the computer network 130
It has.

In the present embodiment, the service provider computer 100, the user computer 110,
For the map storage computer 120, a computer such as a so-called personal computer and a workstation is used. The above-described means are functionally realized by such a program operating on a computer.

FIG. 6 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of a fee table for calculating a fee for using an underlay map. The charge table shown in the figure is one of tables used by the charge calculation means 104 of the service provider computer 100 for calculating a charge for using map data.

The charge table 600 is a table for calculating a charge per charge unit such as a mesh, and is a matrix including a map use 610 and a map type 620.

The use 610 of the map is, for example, whether the user wants to use the map itself by modifying it (editing), pastes it on a digital document such as a word processor document (attached), and displays it on a display. Items related to how to use the map are provided, such as whether the user wants to print on paper (printing) or whether it is only necessary to display the map on a display (display). Some users want to use maps to analyze their data,
Some are satisfied just by looking at the map. The data to be used depends on the application, but the reusability of the data also depends on which data (vector data, raster data, data printed on paper, etc.) is used. For example,
When pasting a map in a guide letter, the layout and image quality of a printed paper map are limited. However, if there is map data, a high-quality digital document can be created with a free layout. For this reason, if data with high reusability is likely to be used for another purpose, the price is set high, and if data with low reusability is set at a low price so that it can be disposable, the fee for use will be higher. It is considered fair. Thus, by providing the charging data corresponding to the use form of the map data, it is possible to perform a reasonable charging according to the purpose of using the map data. As a result, for example, it is possible to set a low charge for office use such as viewing a map or cutting out a map and attaching it to a document.

On the other hand, as the map type 620, items relating to the map type, such as a wide area road map, a detailed road map (1 / 25,000), a house map, and the like, are provided. In general, the higher the resolution of a map, the more expensive it is. As described above, by providing the charging data according to the type of the map, it is possible to charge according to the type of the map even when providing various types of maps.

In the present embodiment, the charging data relating to the use of the map and the charging data relating to the type of the map are managed as matrix charging data. Charge data indicating a price per unit is registered at a portion where the map use 620 and the underlying map type 320 intersect. In the present embodiment, charging is performed by using a charging unit as a mesh. For example,
In a field 630 where the type of map is “map 2” and the use of the map is “edit”, charging data indicating that the usage fee per mesh is A ′ yen is set. Therefore, the usage fee when the editable map 2 uses the N mesh is A '* N yen.

Here, the charging unit is a mesh which is a unit of map data, but in the case of display use,
It is also conceivable that a time element is added to the calculation formula of the usage fee, and the display time is charged at 100 yen per hour.

FIG. 7 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of a fee table for calculating the usage fee of the note.

The charge table 650 is a table for calculating a charge per charge unit such as a data amount, and is a matrix including a note type 660 and a use mode 670.

As the note type 660, for example, items such as information on public facilities, names of small shops and related information, names of household heads of individual houses, and names of household heads of apartment houses (apartments, etc.) are provided.

As the usage mode 670, whether the annotation data is always the latest one (disposable), is saved in a personal storage device, and the saved data is reused, or the annotation data is used. Items related to data management methods, such as whether data is shared and used at work, are provided. When reusing, it is also conceivable to limit the reusable period and the number of reuses.

As described above, by setting the charge separately for the user and the use scene, it is possible to provide the annotation data at a low price to the infrequent users.

FIG. 12 shows the service provider computer 1
FIG. 6 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of license data created by a fee calculation means 104 of FIG. The license table 1000 includes user information 1010 in which the name and ID information of the user are registered, terminal identification information 1020 in which a terminal to be used is registered, expiration date information 1030 in which the expiration date of the license is registered, Use restriction information 1040 in which the functional use restrictions of the user are registered, use content information 1050 in which the type of usable content is registered, charge plan information 1060 in which the charge system is registered, and common information for accessing the map data. Key 1070.

The license table 1000 created by the service provider computer 100 is transmitted to the user computer 110 and used by the usage control means 112. For example, when the use of the underlay map is set to display only, a code for prohibiting printing, copying, and overwriting is embedded in the use restriction information 1040. Usage control means 1
If this code is detected by the user 12, the user computer 110 deactivates the print, copy, and overwrite functions to disable use. When the usage mode of the note is set to shared, information for identifying the user is embedded in the user information 1010. When the usage control unit 112 detects this information, the user computer 110
The authentication of the user is performed by requesting the input of the ID and the password for identifying the user. Then, all the functions are deactivated and cannot be used until the user authentication is completed.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of usage history data recorded in the map storage computer 120.

The usage history data 1100 is, in principle, a series of data arranged in time series, and is recorded in a fixed format 1110 for each type of map or note. This standard format 1110 includes a map / note type identifier 1120, a function identifier 1130 when a special paid function is used, a user name 1140, a used terminal identifier 1150, a use start time 1160, and a use end time 1170. .

In this embodiment, the usage history data 1
100 is encrypted and stored so that the user cannot modify it. Therefore, by examining the usage history data 1100, it is possible to confirm whether or not the usage history is illegally used. For example, since the clock of the user computer was operated during the use of the map 1, a record of "AM 10:00" remains at the use start time 1160 of the map 1,
It is assumed that a record “AM 9:00” of the same day remains at use end time 1170. In this case, the history data is inconsistent, and it can be pointed out that the user has intentionally attempted unauthorized use.

For encrypting the usage history data, commonly known common key encryption such as DES and FEAL can be used. In the present embodiment, the use of the common key is controlled by the dedicated viewer 230. This makes it very difficult for another application on the user computer 110 to modify the usage history data 1100.

As a method for preventing the encryption key from being incorporated into the dedicated viewer 230, a service provider public key may be used. In this case, there is a problem that the use history cannot be additionally recorded, trouble of a legitimate user and an increase in the load on the user computer occur.
The same effect can be expected from improved safety. Therefore, the encryption method used here is not limited to the common key. Fixed format 111 used here
0 indicates a case in which the map for display use is charged on a time-based basis, but when the data-based basis is used for the charge setting, the use start time 1160 and the use end time 117 are used.
Instead of 0, the amount of data sent to the user computer is recorded. Thus, the standard format 1110
Is changed, it is possible to cope with charging based on the number of times a function such as time-based or data-based metering or printing is used.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the flow of the processing of the present invention. Hereinafter, an outline of a process for using a map will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, a portion surrounded by a bold line is encrypted data or a program in which the data is embedded, and the data stored therein cannot be directly accessed (the data stored therein is significant). (Cannot be read as data). For example, the map storage computer 120 has a map database 254, and the map data stored in the map database 254 is:
It is encrypted using the common key encryption 250 owned by the service provider. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for a third party who does not have a common key to decrypt the map data to use the map data.

In order to use the map, the user computer 110 must obtain a license 200 for using the map from the service provider computer 100. The license 200 has a data structure such as the license table 1000 shown in FIG. 12, for example. By obtaining the map data access common key 1070, the user computer 110 can access the map database 254.

When the license 200 is obtained, the user computer 110 transfers the usage history data 1100 and the user public key 220 to the service provider computer 100. At this time, it is assumed that the user computer 110 generates a pair of public key and secret key in advance using asymmetric encryption such as RSA encryption.

The service provider computer 100 decrypts the encrypted use history 252 and determines its validity. Whether or not unauthorized use has been performed can be determined by examining the use history data 1100 described above. The use history 252 is reliably collected and can be decrypted only by the service provider computer. However, even if the check is not actually performed, the use history 252 is illegal just because it has a means of monitoring the use history. The deterrent effect can be expected.

When the user uses the license according to the contract, the service provider computer 100 generates new license data 202 and compiles the license 200 together with the common key 204 for accessing the map data. Here, information such as an expiration date and usage conditions included in the license is referred to as license data 202, and a data set including the license data 202 and the common key 204 is referred to as a license 200.

Next, the service provider computer 100
Encrypts the license 200 with the public key 220 of the user. And the service provider computer 100
User computer 1 transmits encrypted license 200
Transfer to 10.

When using the map, the user computer 110 uses the user's private key built in the dedicated viewer 230 to license the license 240 (corresponding to the license 200 created by the service provider computer 100). The data 244 is decrypted. The user computer 110 inputs the license data 244, checks the expiration date 1030 of the license table 1000, and if the current date is within the expiration date, the common key 24
2 in memory. If the current date has expired, the user computer 110 displays a message to obtain a new license.

On the other hand, when there is an access request to the map data 254, the map storage computer 120 records the ID of the requesting user computer 110 and the contents of the request by the use history management function 252. The record in which this record is accumulated in time series is the use history data 1100.
The service provider computer 100 collects the data of the usage history data 1100 in the map storage computer 120 at least when distributing the license 200. Then, the charge calculation function 208 calculates the usage charge by matching the underlay map with the charge table 600 and matching the annotation with the charge table 650.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a sales process performed between a service provider computer, a user computer, and a map storage computer when a user obtains a license for using a digital map.

As described above, a license is required to use the map data, and the user computer 110
Requests the service provider computer 100 for a license to use the map (step 410).
Generally, the service provider computer 100 requests the user's unique ID and password at this point, and authenticates the user. Here, the service provider computer 100 holds the user ID and password in advance. In the case where the method of paying for the use of the map in advance is registered in advance, a penalty for breach of contract between the service provider and the user can be set, so that an effect of suppressing unauthorized use can be expected.

If the user requesting the license is valid (ie, if the ID and password of the user match those registered in advance), the service provider computer uses the past usage of the user. History data 1100
And the user's public key (step 415). In contrast, the user computer 110 stores the usage history 252
And the user public key 220 to the service provider computer 1
00 (step 420).

In FIG. 2, the use history 252 is stored in the map server 1.
20 stored in the computer network 13
0 depending on the configuration of the user computer 11.
0 or may be stored in the service provider computer 100.

The service provider computer 100 decrypts the use history 252 in the use history check means 102 and judges its validity (use history check) (step 425). Service provider computer 10
0 has the process of judging the validity, so that if the user makes use contrary to the contract, the subsequent use can be stopped.

Next, the service provider computer 100
Makes a request to select the type of map to be used and the type of note information associated with the map (step 4).
30).

In response to this request, the user computer 1
10, the map selection means 114 accepts the user's input, and sends information on the type of map selected by the user to the service provider computer 100 (step 43).
5). In this selection, the user computer 110
Selects the type of map and the type of note you want to use. By providing this procedure, it is possible to prevent a user from inadvertently accessing an expensive map, and to narrow down services for each user, so that it is possible to recommend an appropriate charge plan. FIGS. 3 and 7 described below are examples of a user interface for selecting the type of a map and a note.

When the type of the map or the note is selected, the service provider computer 100 requests the sample of the selected map from the map storage computer 120 (step 440). Then, the map storage computer 120 outputs the corresponding map sample to the service provider computer 100 using the communication means 124 (step 445). The map storage computer 120 which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 8 has a function for generating a map sample.

Next, the service provider computer 100
Sends the data obtained by adding the recommended price plan to the sample of the map to the user computer 110 (step 4).
50). The user computer 110 presents a sample of the map and the charge plan to the user by the charge plan selection means 115. The user computer 110 further includes:
Accept the user's confirmation input for the presented sample and rate plan. When the user enters confirmation,
The user computer 110 notifies the service provider computer 100 of the confirmation (step 45).
5).

The service provider computer 100 generates, in the license issuing means 108, license data 202 in which the type of the map to be used, the charge plan, the expiration date, and the like are packaged, and together with the common key 204 for accessing the map data. Put together in license 200. The service provider computer 100 encrypts the license 200 with the user's public key (step 4).
60). Then, the service provider computer 100
Issues the encrypted license 200 to the user computer 110 (step 465). Of course,
The license 200 can be used only by the user computer that owns the user's private key. Thereafter, the license 240 encrypted with the user's public key is recorded in the user computer 110.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a transaction process among a service provider computer, a user computer, and a map storage computer when a user uses a digital map.

When using a map, the user computer 110 issues a use start request to the map storage computer 120 (step 510).

In response, the map storage computer 12
0 notifies the user computer 110 of the current date and time in order to synchronize the user computer 110 with the map storage computer 120 (step 515). This is because the license expiration date does not function effectively if the date and time of the user computer 100 is different from the date and time managed by the service provider. It is desirable that the reference date and time be obtained from a computer whose accuracy is guaranteed, such as the service provider computer 100.

The user computer 110 uses the use control means 112 to decrypt the license data 244 of the license 240 using the user's private key built in the dedicated viewer 230. Further, the expiration date of the license data is confirmed using the date and time obtained from the map storage computer 120 (step 520). If the obtained current date and time is included in the period described in the expiration date information 1030 of the license table 1000, it is determined that the license is valid. If the license is valid, the common key 242 is decrypted on the memory (step 525). Thereby, the map storage computer 1
20 can be accessed.

Next, the user computer 110 issues a request for map data to the map storage computer 120 by the dedicated viewer 230 (step 530). That is, the user computer 110 specifies the type of the map and the note, the position information (latitude / longitude), the range, and the like. Here, the position information corresponds to information used by the map storage computer 120 to manage map data. For example, when a map is divided into meshes and recorded, the map is managed in a database so that the latitude and longitude corresponding to the four corners of each mesh are used as search keys. When the range to be used is specified, the map storage computer 120 selects a mesh including the latitude and longitude corresponding to the range. Then, the map storage computer 120 records the identification number of the selected mesh in the use history data 1100 (step 535), and transfers the encrypted map data corresponding to the request (step 540).

The user computer 110 uses the common key 242 to decode the map data on the memory by the map display means 116 (step 545). The user computer 110 checks the use restriction set in the license data 244 by the use restriction function 234 implemented in the dedicated viewer 230 (step 5).
50) If the use is in accordance with the contract, a map is displayed on the user's computer display. However, when the display time and the number of times of printing are in charge units, the user computer 110 uses this function command to store
To record.

When continuously using different types of maps or different regions of the map, the process returns to step 530, and
The map data is again requested to the map storage computer 120. When stopping the use of the map, the user computer 110 deletes the common key 242 from the memory (Step 560), and sends a use end report to the map storage computer 120 (Step 565). The map storage computer 120 receives the use end report, and records the current time in the use end time 1170 of the use history data 1100.

On the other hand, regarding the charge for using the map, the service provider computer 100
The usage history data 1100 in the license 20
Collected when delivering 0. The frequency and timing of the collection need not necessarily be linked to the distribution of the license 200, but at least at the time of obtaining the license, the user computer 110, the service provider computer 100,
The map storage computer 120 is connected to the computer network 130, and the usage history data 1100 can be collected regardless of the location of the storage location.

Next, the service provider computer 100
Collects the usage history data 1100 in the usage time management unit 206, and calculates the usage fee by the fee calculation function 208. As the settlement means, various means such as existing bank withdrawal, transfer to a designated account, credit settlement by electronic settlement, and the like can be considered.

FIG. 3 is a screen snapshot of a computer display when a user acquires a license 200 for using a digital map in the present embodiment.

The display screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the user computer 110 in steps 430 to 4
65 is a representative screen image displayed on the display of the user computer 110 while the processing of step 65 is performed.

The display screen 300 is composed of three sub-screens, an area 330 for displaying an option 335 for selecting a map type and a note type, and a map display area 31.
0 and an area 320 for displaying a usage fee system of the selected map. Thus, the option area 3 in one screen
By arranging 30, the display area 320 of the fee, and the display area 310 of the sample map, the user can easily select the optimal combination while comparing the fee and the map. The area 330 has an interface for selecting the type of the map and an interface for selecting the type of the note.

FIG. 8 shows an example of an interface for selecting the type and use form of a note which is a part of the area 330.

In the present embodiment, an interface for selecting the type of note and the use form is provided as a pull-down menu list. The pull-down menu 715 is normally closed, and only one of the candidates is displayed. When a button 725 for opening a pull-down menu is clicked with a mouse cursor, a plurality of candidates are displayed as a list 730. In this state, when the mouse cursor is moved and overlapped with, for example, “save and use” 735, which is one of the candidates, this candidate is highlighted and indicates that it is selected. In this state, the selection is determined by an operation such as further clicking a mouse button.

In the case of this method, basically only one item can be selected. Therefore, it is particularly effective to select details of information as described in the note. In this embodiment, selection candidates are displayed in a pull-down list.
0 can be designed to be small, and as a result, the area 310 for displaying the map can be made large.

FIG. 9 shows an example of an interface for selecting the type and use of the map which is a part of the area 330.

In the present embodiment, an interface for selecting the type and use of the map is displayed in the area 720 with several candidate names and check boxes 750 arranged side by side. By moving the mouse cursor into an arbitrary check box 750 and clicking the mouse button, the candidate is selected. When the map type 620 and the application are selected, the fee calculation means 104 can determine the unit price when using these maps by referring to the fee table 600. In the figure, items such as display are indispensable for using the map, and are usually selected by default.

FIG. 11 shows a display example of an area 320 for displaying the usage fee system of the selected map.

In area 320, a graph 900 for explaining pay-as-you-go billing is displayed. Graph 900 shows the fee for use. The vertical axis of the graph 900 is a currency unit such as Japanese yen or US dollar, and the horizontal axis is a unit of time or data amount. In the case of a map, it is effective to use a mesh specified by the Geographical Survey Institute as a unit of data amount. FIG. 9A is a graph showing the usage fee of the map for each content, and the user can know the approximate usage fee by looking at the graph 920 of the selected content name 910. . Also, the content name 91
By specifying 0 or graph 920 with the mouse cursor,
In the selection area 330, a process of selecting a map type can be used.

FIG. 9B is a graph 930 for showing a difference in fee depending on the use of the map selected in the selection area 330. If an input is made to an area 710 for selecting the type of map, a graph 930 is displayed.
Changes the slope and shape of the object. In the present invention, even if the map is the same, if the use of the map changes, it may be possible to use the map at a low fee. By using this graph, it is possible to carefully select the use that matches the budget.

FIG. 9C is a graph when a plurality of recommended charge plans are set. For example, if there is a time-based standard plan and a plan A for which use for up to 100 hours is a fixed amount, depending on the use time, a case where the standard plan is obtained and a case where the plan A is not obtained may occur. In such a case, such an interface is effective in order to make the user easily understand the charge system and to select a charge plan. Similarly to FIG. 9A, it is possible to select a plan by moving the mouse cursor to a plan name or a graph. Such a plan,
Although there is an advantage that the usage fee is cheaper for the user, there is also an advantage that the service provider can expect stable sales.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a sample display in which the map or the note selected in the area 330 is displayed so that the user can check it visually.

In FIG. 10A, a symbol 810 indicating a sample is displayed on the map 800. Since most or an important part of the map 800 is hidden by the symbol 810, it cannot be used as a map in this state. Such a sample display merely adds processing for overwriting a map with a symbol or image to the normal map display processing.
There is no special load on 10.

In FIG. 10B, only the inside of the closed small area 820 is displayed, and the area outside the small area 820 is displayed without display or is blurred. Small area 820
May be able to move in conjunction with a mouse cursor or the like, but it is not useful as a map in this state because the display area is small. In such a sample display, since the size of the display portion can be set arbitrarily, a service of changing the size by a user such as a corporate user and a general user is also possible.

In FIG. 10C, the screen display is controlled by time, and a clock 830 manages the display time. If it is within the predetermined time, a map equivalent to that at the time of the contract is displayed, but control is performed so that the map screen 800 is automatically cleared after the time of k has elapsed. By shortening the displayed time to some extent, it is possible to prevent the purpose of viewing the map from being achieved. In such a sample display, since the display time can be set arbitrarily, a service of changing the display time according to the user's credibility is possible.

FIG. 14 is a screen snapshot of a computer display of a user using a digital map. This display screen is displayed on the user computer 110.
Is displayed on the display of the user computer 110 when the processing from step 540 to step 560 is performed.

When using the map, the charge meter 1210 can be displayed on the map 1200 at any time. A charge meter 1210 shown in the figure has a usage fee on the vertical axis and a usage time on the horizontal axis, and is a display example of the fee meter in the case of the usage-based charging based on the usage time. Reference numeral 1230 denotes an indicator that indicates the passage of time. Indicator 1230
Indicates the usage time up to the present, and moves to the right over time. The point at which the graph indicating the charging system and the time indicated by the indicator 1230 intersect is the usage fee up to the present. In the figure, a portion surrounded by a graph indicating the time indicated by the indicator 1230 and the fee system is displayed in a blacked-out manner in order to make the fee easy to understand. The indicator 1230 is a means for informing the user of the total usage fee (for example, the usage fee from the beginning of the month to the present), but the displayed value does not need to be the fee.

In the above-described embodiment, the user computer 110 needs to have a dedicated viewer 230, which is a dedicated program for using map data, installed in advance. In other words, in order for the user to access the map storage computer 120, the user must use the dedicated viewer 230, which makes unauthorized use of the map difficult. I was strong.

As described above, a process corresponding to the dedicated viewer 230 is implemented as a Java applet using a technology such as Java without using a dedicated program, and if this can be downloaded from a server and used, the user Makes it possible to use map data with a general-purpose browser without installing a dedicated program in advance. At present, most computers connected to a network have a general-purpose browser, and the use of Java technology eliminates the need for a user to perform special installation work.

In the embodiments described above,
A map storage computer 120, a service provider computer 100 or a user computer 110;
Although treated as physically separate, the invention is not limited to such an embodiment. That is, the map storage computer 120 may exist in the same hardware as the service provider computer 100, or may exist on the same hardware as the user computer 110. Further, the user computer 1
Of the functions realized by the program on the server 10, the use control unit 112 and the use history management unit 113 can be made to function on the service provider computer.

[0088]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Users can purchase and use digital map data as needed.

Further, since it is possible to sell map data in which the number of uses and uses are limited, digital map data can be provided at a low price.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a network system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a processing flow in the system.

FIG. 3 is a screen snapshot of a computer display when a user obtains a license for using a digital map.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a sales process performed among a service provider computer, a user computer, and a map storage computer when acquiring a license for using a digital map.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing transaction processing of a service provider computer, a user computer, and a map storage computer when a user uses a digital map.

FIG. 6 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of a fee table for calculating a fee for using an underlay map.

FIG. 7 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of a fee table for calculating a usage fee of a note;

FIG. 8 is a snap diagram showing an example of an interface for allowing the user to select the type and use form of a part of a note.

FIG. 9 is a snap diagram showing an example of an interface for selecting the type and use of a map.

FIG. 10 is a snap diagram showing a display example of a sample map for confirming the type of a selected map when acquiring a license.

FIG. 11 is a snap view of an interface for explaining a charging system or selecting a charge plan when acquiring a license.

FIG. 12 is a table configuration diagram showing an example of license data used for controlling map use.

FIG. 13 is a data configuration diagram showing an example of a usage history used for calculating a usage fee by managing the usage status of a map.

FIG. 14 is a screen snapshot of a computer display of a user utilizing a digital map.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100: Service provider computer, 102: Usage history check means, 104: Charge calculation means, 110: User computer, 112: Usage control means, 113: Usage history management means, 116: Map display means, 117: Billing status display Means: 120: map storage computer; 122: map data access means; 106, 118, 124: communication means.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 15/62 335 (72) Inventor Shuji Kitazawa 4-6 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Hitachi, Ltd. System Within the business department (72) Inventor Takaaki Yamada 1099 Ozenji Temple, Aso-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Hitachi, Ltd.System Development Laboratory (72) Inventor Koichiro Ino 890 Kashimada, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Information Systems Business, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazumori Naba 890 Kashimada, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa F-term (Reference) 2C032 HB03 HB05 HB31 HC21 HC27 5B049 CC02 EE05 GG10 5B050 AA08 BA17 CA07 CA08 FA02 FA08 GA08 5B075 ND06 PR03 UU13

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A map database storing map data, a user computer for using the map data stored in the map database, and a service provider computer connected to the user computer via a network. Wherein the user computer accesses the database and displays the map data stored in the map database on a display device using license data distributed by a provider. Management means for acquiring a history of use of map data, and means for transferring a history of use of map data obtained by the management means to the service provider computer via the network, The provider computer determines the type of map data provided. Based on the amount of map data used, accounting information for determining a usage fee corresponding to at least one of the usage mode, and the usage history and the accounting information sent via the network. And a means for calculating a usage fee. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the map data is encrypted and stored in the map database, and the license data includes an encryption key for decrypting the encrypted map data. 2. The map information service system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The license data according to claim 1, wherein the license data includes information for defining use of the provided map data based on a contract between the user and a service provider. Map information service system. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes means for controlling use of said map data by a user in accordance with information defining said use contained in said license data. The map information service system described in. 5. The map information service according to claim 1, wherein said management means has means for encrypting the use history and holding it so that it cannot be used by another application of the user computer. system. 6. A means for providing a first interface to the user computer for selecting the type of map, the detail of a note, or the use of the map displayed by the map data. When,
Means for displaying a graph centering on a charging unit and a usage fee, and providing a second interface to the user computer for the user to select a usage fee system or a type of a rate plan. 2. The map information service system according to claim 1, wherein: 7. The means for providing the first interface includes means for displaying image information of a map displayed by the map data on a display device of the user computer in a state where normal use is difficult. 7. The map information service system according to claim 6, comprising: 8. A map database storing encrypted map data, a user computer for using the map data stored in the map database, and a service connected to the user computer via a network. A method of providing map information in a map information service system having a provider computer, wherein the service provider computer generates license data for using the map data in the user computer. Electronically transferring the license data from the service provider computer to the user computer, wherein the user computer accesses the database and displays the map data stored in the map database using the license data Dress Acquiring the history of use of the map data, storing history data representing the history of use, reading the stored history data, transferring the read history data to the service provider computer via the network, In the provider computer, the type of the provided map data, the amount of the used map data, the billing information for determining the usage fee corresponding to at least any of the forms of use, and via the network A method for providing map information, wherein a usage fee is calculated based on the transmitted usage history and the charging information.